Virender Sehwag 'teases' Shoaib Akhtar about talking up India

Virender Sehwag speaks just like he bats — fearlessly. The former India opener was at his candid best when stand-up comedian Vikram Sathaye, while giving a sneak-peek of his new humour show What the duck, asked the Nawab of Najafgarh of India versus Pakistan battles.

To start with, Sathaye expressed the general view among fans that the Indian team can lose to anyone, but not Pakistan. Sehwag recalled: “My kids would tease me a lot if we lost to Pakistan.

“They would be worried about their friends teasing them the next day in school. So, imagine the pressure on me from my kids when I used to bat.” Everyone in the hall was in splits.

Sathaye also mentioned something he has been noticing recently. "Shoaib Akhtar has been praising Indian players a lot these days," exclaimed Sathaye, to which Sehwag said, "that’s because India main business chahiye (they want business in India). They know India is a huge market for cricket. If they talk good about Indian cricket, they will get business. Sab paise ka chamatkar hai yeh (it’s the power of money)."

"Rana-ul-Naved is also talking a lot of good things about our cricket," remarked Sathaye.

“He may be taking a cue from Shoaib, hoping that Star Sports or someone will pick him. You see all these ex-Pakistani cricketers want some business from India,” remarked Sehwag as the applause grew louder.

Sathaye then 'grilled' Zaheer Khan and got him to reveal why he was called 'gyaan baba' (philosopher) of the Indian team. "There is no apparent reason for that. Maybe because I used to go up to the bowlers too often with my inputs,” said the former India pacer.